China could launch artificial moon by 2020, state media says

Chinese scientists are working to launch an illumination satellite that could emit artificial moonlight. File Photo by NOAA/UPI | License Photo

Oct. 18 (UPI) -- A Chinese scientist is promising the moon with an illumination satellite that would emit brighter light by 2020.

People's Daily reported Thursday Wu Chunfeng of the Chengdu Aerospace Science and Technology Microelectronics System Research Institute Co. revealed the plans for the artificial moon last week at a gathering on innovation and entrepreneurship in Chengdu, Szechuan Province.

"We have been developing technology for an artificial moon for many years," Wu said. "We have secured enough technology to launch an artificial moon by 2020."

The satellite would "complement the moon at night" and emit a "dusk-like glow" over an area with a diameter of between six and 50 miles.